Trustees discussed the issue this week after receiving the 1999 noise-impact zone map from the Chicago Department of Aviation, which underwrites the soundproofing program.

According to the map, the number of homes in Bensenville that experience day-night levels of 70 decibels or more is shrinking. The Aviation Department will only pay to soundproof homes that experience levels of 70 or higher. The map shows that the area affected by airplanes flying overhead has shifted northeast.

But Bensenville officials say the map distorts reality.

"The map's an absolute joke," Village President John Geils said. "We had agreed that the 1999 map would reflect true noise-level readings. But (the city and its Aviation Department) reneged and brought out another computer model. They made a mockery of the entire process."

Dennis Culloton, spokesman for the Aviation Department, called the map "the most state-of-the-art map we could assemble." He said the map combines the Federal Aviation Administration's computer-modeling program, a noise-tracking system that records and tracks virtually every flight in the Chicago airspace and information from about 35 jet noise monitors throughout the Chicago area.

Culloton also said the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission brought in an independent consultant to evaluate the map and the consultant stated the map was accurate.

In February Geils accused the Aviation Department of fudging the noise-impact zone map to shift soundproofing dollars from Bensenville to Norridge, Palatine and Arlington Heights in reward for those towns' support of O'Hare expansion plans.

"It's a lose-lose situation for us," said Assistant Village Manager Kevin Barr. "I've talked to hundreds of people. They're all impacted by airport noise, and deciding who's worse off than whom would be impossible."

Nine hundred forty-eight Bensenville homes sit in the 70 decibel zone, Germain said. Of those, 281 have been soundproofed through the 3-year-old program and 84 will be soundproofed this year. The village staff will send letters to eligible homeowners within two weeks.